Key operated identifier



April 9, 1940. CQQPER 2,196,194

KEY OPERATED IDENTIFIER Filed lay 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 +1, I- IG. 30E. FIGS INVENTOR.

April 9, 1940. COOPER 2,196,194

KEY OPERATED IDENTIFIER Filed lay 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR .2234; ATTORNEY April 9, 1940. B. COOPER KEY OPERATED IDENTIFIER Filed lay 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY ZZZ-22:22:

April 9, 1940. B. COOPER KEY OPERATED IDENTIFIER Filed lay 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT omen m orm'mn mnnmrna Benjamin Cooper. New York, N. Y.

Application May 7, 1m, Serial No. 78.888

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- the unit.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in an identifying unit of the character described means for automatically resetting the number indicator or counter to zero when the identification key is withdrawn from the unit.

Yet another object of this invention is to pro vide in a unit of the character described means to indicate that a key is inserted into the unit and that a number appears on the number indicator.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a unit of the character described so constructed that once the key inserted therein has been turned, it cannot be turned back until the pulser is returned to its original position, whereby the key cannot be removed from the identifying unit until the pulser has returned to its original or zero position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide in a unit of the character described means for printing numbers indicated on the counter wheels when the key has been inserted into the unit and for visually indicating the number on the counter wheels.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact and rugged unit of the character described which shall be easy to operate, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, positive in action, which shall have a large variety of applications, and yet be practical and efllcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

'Fig. 1 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the printing device actuated by an indentifier embodying the invention taken on line i-i of Fi Fig. 2 is a partial, elevational, cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an eievational view of the counter 6 wheels operated by the identifying unit;

Fig. 3a. is a plan view of a fragment of the ribbon on which the identifier prints;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical system operated by the identifying unit;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the rear side of the identifier taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a crosssectional view taken on line 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the point of entrance of the key into the identifying 20 unit;

Fig. 10 is an elevational, transverse, cross-sectional view of the key after the same has been inserted, turned and then turned back;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line -25 li-li of Fig. '7; V

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l2l2 of Fig.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l8l3'of Fig.6; 30

Fig. 14 is a top plan view taken on line il-il f Fig.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line lB-IS of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l6i6 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the key used with my improved identifier;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l8l8 of Fig.11;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l9-l9 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of rotated with the identifying key;

Fig. 21 is a front elevational view of the iden- 5 tifying unit embodying the invention and illusthe rotary cage 'trating another form thereof;

Fig. 22 is an elevational view taken in front of the cage with the key turned 90 degrees;

Fig. 23 is a side elevational, cross-sectional so view taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2l2| of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the key used with the identifier shown in Fig. 21; 5

Fig. 26 is a partial, elevational vie of one end of the key and pin actuated thereby; and

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 21.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 20, I0 designates an identifying unit embodying the invention and il designates a key used therewith. The key ll (Fig. 1'7) is in the form of a flat elongated bar having a central longitudinal groove (2 on one face thereof and a pair of aligned notches l3 in the side edges thereof adjacent the rear. One or both of the side edges may be cut away as at M for any desired length. The length of the cutaway portions determines the number of pulsations and the digits which will be printed, as will appear hereinafter. The key is adapted to actuate two pulsers either the same or a different number of times for actuating two printing counters and printing two digits. If one side edge is not cut away, there will be such pulsation on one of the pulsers that one of the digits printed will be zero. The key furthermore has a cammed or ramped under edge i6 at the front end thereof and adjacent one cut-away edge l4 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The identifier ID may comprise any suitable frame or casing having a front wall I! (Fig. 11) and side walls i8 and IS. The side walls l8 and I9 are interconnected by an elongated screw 20 fixed thereto by a screw 20a or in any other suitable manner. The screw 20 supports a central wall 22 parallel to the walls 18 and i9 and substantially midway therebetween. Sleeves 20b in said screw serve as spacers for said central wall.

Fastened to the wall 22 is a fixed cylindrical horizontal cage 23 (Figs. 11 and 13) extending from front to rear and being open at the ends thereof. The cage may be cut away longitudinally on opposite sides thereof as at Hand 25 (Fig. 13). Rotatably mounted within the fixed cage 23 is a rotary cage 30, (Fig. 20) having front and rear aligned discs 3!, 32 rotatably engaging the front and rear ends of the fixed cage. The discs 3i and 32 are interconnected by a pair of parallel, symmetrical bars 34 on opposite sides of the axis. The upper bar 34 may have a rib adapted to fit into groove [2 of key ii. The disc 3| has a cammed portion 35 on one s de thereof formed with a radial shoulder 36. Said disc is furthermore formed with a through passage or opening 31 parallel to the radial edge 36. The disc 3i is formed with an opening 38 having the shape of the cross-section of the key i l and provided with a central ridge 39 adapted to be received within the groove I2 of the key. The passage 31 communicates with-the opening 38. The rear disc 32 is formed with a notch 40 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The front wall I! is formed with a circular opening 4! having a diameter equal substantially to the width of the key. The rear surface of the wall I! is provided with an annular recess rotatably receiving an annular washer 42, having an opening conforming in shape to the cross-section of the key. Fixed to the rear surface of the wall I! is a plate 43 (Fig. 11) having an annular opening 44 of diameter equal to the distance between the aligned notches l3. On opposite diametrical sides of the opening 44 are horizontal extensions 45 (Fig. 18) of the said opening of suflicient width to permit the key to be inserted through the front wall I! and preventing the turning of the key until the key is in such posiamass tion that the notches II are aligned with the opening 44, in which position the key may be I turned. Thus. the key cannot be turned until it isfully inserted.

The key also through the opening 33 in disc 3|, which opening as aligned with the key opening in the rotary washer 42, and between the bars 34. When the key is fully inserted, the same may be turned torotate the washer 42 and rotary cage 30.

Slidably mounted within the opening 31 in the disc 3| is a stem or pin 41 (Figs. 8 and 9) having a head 43 at the bottom end thereof. The width of the head 43 is less than the length of the radial shoulder 36, by a length substantially equal to the length of the part of the stem or pin which projects into the opening 38. When the key is inserted, the cammed portion i6 thereof engages the pin 41 and presses same downward- 4 ly to bring the head 48 flush with cam 35 of the disc 3| to permit turning of said disc in a clockwise direction. Pivoted to a fixed support within the casing in any suitable manner is a bellcrank lever 50 having one arm adapted to be engaged and depressed by the pin 41. Said lever has a second arm adapted to operate a switch having a pair of blades 5i and 52 (Fig. 11) interconnected by insulation so as to move together. When the key is not inserted, the blade 52 contacts a blade 53. Upon inserting the key and rotating the lever 50, the blades 5| and 52 are moved to the left; looking at Fig. 11, so that the blade 5| contacts a blade 54 and the blade 52 moves out of contact with respect to the blade 53. The fixed ends of the blades Si, 52, 53 and 54 are insulated from one another and from the frame.

Pivoted to the frame in any suitable manner is a lever 53 (Figs. 14 and 16) having a nose 59 adapted to be received within the notch 40 of disc 32, when the cage 30 is in normal angular position. The lever 58 is adapted to engage a blade Bil at one of its ends. The blade BI! is normally in contact with a blade 6i and out of contact with respect to a blade 63. When the rotary cage 30 is turned, however, the lever 53 is rotated in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 16, since the nose 59 moves out of the notch 40. The blade 60 then moves into contact with the blade 63 and out of contact with respect to the blade 6|. The fixed ends of the blades 60, ii and 63 are insulated from one another and from the frame.

The identifier has two pulsating units, one located on each side of the central wall 22. The units operate in the same manner and only one thereof has been shown and described, it being understood that the other pulsating unit is symmetrically disposed with respect to the first, and operates in the same manner.

The pulsating unit comprises a horizontal fixed shaft 66 in which is rotatably mounted a seg me tal gear 61. Pivoted to the segmental gear 81 on the axis or pin 1| perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 66 is a finger 63 extending through the opening 25 and substantially at right angles to and contacting the bars 34. A torsion spring I0 on the pivot pin ll serves to maintain the finger 69 substantially in contact with a lug 69a on gear 61 for maintaining said finger upright. Journalled within suitable bearings on the wall 22 and on a bracket 12 fixed to the frame is the axle 12a of (Fig. 13) a pinion I3 meshing with he teeth of the gear 61. Fixed to the pinion I3 (Figs. 6 and 15) in co-axel therewith is a larger pinion 14. The pinion l4 meshes with a pinion I3 on a arcane shaft I6 Journalled on the side wall I8 and on a bracket I'I fixed to the frame and disposed parallel to said wall I8. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 18 is a gear 18 provided with an eccentric pawl 18 spring-pressed into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel ll fixed to the pinion ll. Rotation of the segment 81 in a counter clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings, will not be accompanied by rotation of the gear 18. Rotation of the segment in the opposite direction by means hereinafter to be described will cause rotation of said gear ll due to engagement of the ratchet wheel 88 with the pawl 18.

Fixed to the gear 18 and rotatable therewith is a cam or pulser M (Fig. 15) adapted to close and open a pair of switches 82 and 88 as said cam rotates. In the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, the blades or switch arms 82, 88 are indicated by the same numbers, and the number 8I designates the rotary member which opens and closes or makes and breaks said switches. The gear 18 meshes with a gear 86 suitably journalled on the frame and operating a friction governor 86 of any suitable construction for insuring constant speed of rotation. About the shaft 66 is disposed a torsion spring 88 which is adapted to be tensioned when the segmental gear 61 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction, whereby to store up energy for rotating said segmental gear in an opposite direction back to normal position.

The segmental gear 61 is rotated in the following manner: When the key is inserted into the unit, the finger 68 will not be engaged until the shoulder Ila at the end of the cut-out I6 engages the finger 88. As the key is further pushed into the machine, the finger 68 being connected to the segmental gear 61, will rotate the same about the shaft 66 and tension the torsion spring 88. During this movement, the gear I8 is not rotated. When the key is fully inserted, the same is turned in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 4 of the drawings, through an angle of 90 degrees to disengage the finger 68 and permit the torsion spring 68 to rotate the segmental gear in an opposite direction for rotating the gear I8 and the pulser 6I. After the pulser has been operated, the key may be turned back 90 degrees to its original position and then withdrawn. When the key is turned back to its original position, the side edge thereof will engage the finger 68 and rotate the same about its axis I I without affecting the rotation of the segmental gear 61.

It will now be understood that the length of cut-away on the key is inversely proportional to the amount of pulsation. If there is no cutaway on one edge, there will be nine pulsations on the corresponding pulser to bring the counter wheel controlled by said pulser to number nine which will be printed, as will appear hereinafter. If it is desired to print "0 the cut-away is maximum or sumcient not to actuate the pulser.

On the pinion 18 are two pins diametrically disposed, one with respect to the other. Fixed to the segment 61 is a pin 61a (Figs. 12 and 15) having a foot 61b located, when the segment is in normal position, in the path of said pins 18a. Thus, after the segment returns to normal position, rotation of pinion I8 is stopped by reason of engagement of one or the other of the pins 18a with the foot 61 b. The pinion I8 makes one half revolution for each pulsation or a complete revolution for two pulsations as will now be understood, and rotation of said pinion is zapped whenthesegment reaoheenormal pcon. a l'ixedtcthefingerelbelowthefiudcasefl iaanimulatedtip. Whenthekeyisinserted, thetip eeisadaptedtoenaageabiade 8i (Fig. 4) andholdtheeameincontactwithabladeel. Whenthekeyisinsertedandtheeegment rotated about the shaft 86. the tip 88 will move away fromthebladell andpermitsaidbladetomove into contact with I blade II. The fixed ends ofthe blades 8i, 82 and 88 are insulated from one another and from the frame.

Itwillbeunderstood that ontheopposite side of the centralwall 22 are blades lid, 82a and 88a similar and symmetrically disposed to the blades 8I, 82 and 88 and adapted to be controlled by a second pulsing mechanism similar to the one described above. Thus, when a key is inserted into the identifying unit. if the key has cut-away portions on both edges thereof, the blades 8| and 8Ia will move out of contact from the blades 82 and 82a and into contact with the blades 83 and 88a. In Fig. 4, lid, 82:: and 88a indicate the second pulsing switch similar to the pulsing switches 8|, 82 and 83.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, 86 designates a box which may be remotely placed from the casing containing the pulsing unit. With said box is a wall 86 on which are mounted a pair of electro magnets 81 and 88 provided with coils 81a and 88a and having the usual actuating mechanism for operating a pair of counter wheels 81b and 88b. A pair of switch blades 88 and I" are so fixed within the casing as to be normally in contact, but adapted to be separated by a pin IIiI on the counter wheel 81b to separate said contacts when the 0" on the counter wheel is at the bottom or in printing position. Likewise, a pair of blades I82 and I08 are so fixed within the casing as to be normally closed, but adapted to be separated by pin I04 on the counter wheel 88b when the "0 on said counter wheel is at the bottom or in printing position. Within the casing or box 85 is also a time stamp mechanism I86 of any suitable construction with the counter wheels I81 thereof in alignment with the counter wheels 81b and 88b. The time stamp may be operated in any suitable manner so that whenever the printing operation is carried out for the identifying unit in the manner hereinafter described, the time will also be simultaneously printed next to the numbers printed by the counter wheels of the identifier.

The printing device may consist of mechanism shown and described in my Patent No. 2,115,410, issued April 26, 1938. Generally, the same comprises a solenoid IIII (Fig. 1) having a coil III. The armature of said solenoid is connected to a lever II2 which in turn is connected to a lever II8, the latter being connected through a link II to a bellcrank H5. The bellcrank H5 is adapted to engage -a hammer H8. Within the casing is a roll II8 of paper. The paper ribbon passes from the roll beneath rollers and over a platen I26. A carbon ribbon I2I passes over the paper ribbon and is fed intermittently by means of suitable mechanism I22 actuated through the bellcrank H6 and described in detail in my said co-pending application.

When the electro-magnet III! is energized, the hammers are swung upwardly for pressing the carbon against the ribbon and against the counter wheel for causing the printing operation. Means is also provided as fully described in my said co-pending application for feeding the ribbon from the roller intermittently after each printing operation.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, I designates a projection in the rear disc 32, and I26 designates a locking hook which is adapted to engage the projection for holding the rotary cage against return rotation when said cage has been rotated through an angle somewhat less than that which would be sufficient to release the finger 69 from the shoulder I4a. Numeral I21 designates an electro-magnet having a coil I28 and controlling the locking element I26. When the magnet I21 is energized, the element I26 is held in position to prevent rotation of the rotary cage 39 in a counter-clockwise direction or back to normal position. The cage may, however, continue to rotate in a clockwise direction. When the magnet is de-energized, the hooking element moves out of engagement with hook I25 to permit return rotation of said rotary cage. The coil I28 is connected by wire I29 to a plus terminal, Said coil is also connected by wire I30 to the blade 93a. The blade 93 is connected by wire I3I to the blade 93a. The blade Sin; is connected by wire I32 to the blade 92. The blade 9| is connected by wire I33 to the blade 63. The blade 60 is connected to a minus terminal. The blade Si is connected by wire I34 to the blade 52. The blade 92a is connected by wire I36 to a fixed switch arm I31. Cooperating with said switch is a movable switch arm I38 connected by wire I39 to the coil I40, of a printing relay MI, The coil I40 is connected to a plus terminal. Said relay is arranged to attract a movable switch arm I42 and move the same into contact with a fixed switch arm I43 connected by wire I44 to the coil III of the printing solenoid H0. The armature of the printing solenoid IIO when energized is adapted to move a blade I50, normally in contact with a blade I5I, out of contact with respect thereto, and into contact with the blade I52. The blade I5I is connected to a minus terminal. The blade I is connected by wire I54 to the blade 5i. The movable switch arm I38 is adapted to be attracted by a relay I having a coil I6I connected with the plus terminal. The other end of said coil is connected by wire I62 to the switch arm I52. Said relay I60 is also adapted to attract four movable switch arms designated by numerals I63, I64. I and I66, for moving the same into contact with fixed contacts designated I61. I68, I69 and I10, respectively. The contact I63 is connected to the wire I62. The contact I04 is connected by wire I12 to the blade I00. The contact I65 is connected by wire I13 to the blade I03. The contact I66 is connected by wire I14 to the wire I39. The movable contact I61 is connected by wire I15 to wire I54. The contact I68 is connected by wire I16 to a fixed contact I11. The switch arm or contact I69 is connected by wire I18 to a fixed contact I19. The switch arm I10 is connected by wire I to the blade 53, The switch 82 is connected to the coil 9111 by wire I8I. The switch 82a is connected to the coil 98a by wire I82.

The coils 91a and 98a are connected to plus terminals. A switch arm I85 connected to the wire IBI is normally held in engagement with the contact I11 by a spring or otherwise. but may be moved out of engagement with respect to said contact by a relay 91. A switch arm I connected to the wire I82 is normally held in engagement with the contact I19 by spring or otherwise, but may be moved out of engagement with said contact by the electro-magnet 98.

Switches 82 and 03 as well as 020 and 000 may be interconnected by absorption circuits for the purpose oi spark suppression and including a condenser and resistor as shown in Fig. 4.

The diagram of Fig. 4 shows the position of the switches and other elements when the key is not inserted. In such position the relay I21 is de-energized. The counter wheels are in zero position and all of the relays and solenoids are de-energized. Upon inserting the key, the blade 52 moves out of contact with respect to the blade 53, and the blade 64 moves into contact with the blade 5| Upon pressing the key inwardly, assuming that the key is cut away on both sides, the blades 9I and 9Io will move out of contact with respect to the blades 92 and 92a and into contact with the blades 93 and 93a. Upon ro tating the key 90 degrees, the blade 60 moves out of contact with respect to the blade 6| and into contact with the blade 63. The solenoid I21 thus becomes energized, the circuit for the coil I28 being completed through wires I30, I3I, blades 9| and 93, wire I33 and blades 63, 60. The hooking element I26 therefore is then held in hooking position to prevent rotation of the cage in the opposite direction, nor can the key be removed as long as the segmental gears have not returned to their zero positions, In other words, the key cannot be removed until the identifier is completely operated, as will appear hereinafter.

When the key is turned, the segmental gear operates the pulsers 8I and Ma for closing the switchese 82, 83, and 82a and 83a, a number of times. depending upon the length of the cutaway portions on the side edges of the key. The solenoids 91 and 98 become energized several times to operate the identifying counter wheels 91!) and 98b. When the counter wheels rotate, the switch blades 99, I00, I02 and I03 are closed. When the segmental gears returnto their original positions, the blades 9I and 9Ia move out of contact with respect to the blades 93 and 93a and again into contact with the blades 92, 92a. The printing relay I40 thus becomes energized through the wire I39, switch blades I31, I38, wire I36, blades 92a, 9Ia, wire I32, blades 92, 9|, wire I33, and blades 63, 60. When the printing relay I40 becomes energized, the switch arm I42 moves into contact with the switch arm I43 for energizing the printingsolenoid IIO, thus opening the contacts I50, I5I and closing the contacts I50, I52. When the printing solenoid is energized, the printing operation takes place.

When the contact I50 engages the contact I52, the relay I60 is energized through wire I62, contacts I50, I52, wire I54 and blades SI, 54. When the relay I60 is energized, the switch arm I38 moves away from the switch arm I81, thereby interrupting the printing relay I40 and also the printing solenoid IIO. When the relay I60 becomes energized, furthermore, the contacts I63, I64, I65 and I66 move into engagement with the contacts I61, I68, I69 and I10, respectively. The relay I60 is held in energized condition through the contacts I63, I61, wire I15 and blades 5|, 54.

As soon as the relay I60 is energized, furthermore, the solenoids 91 and 98 are operated to reor continue to be intermittently ,encrliled as operating the counter wheels Ill: and lib, the

switches ll, Ill and m, III will open when said counter wheels reach aero position.

Upon thereafter turning thekey degrees out, the contact It moves into engagement with.

the contact II, and the contact 84 moves out of engagement with respect to the contact II. The printing relay I is again energized through the contacts ll, II, wire I, contacts 52, I2, wire I, contacts Ill, I" and wire I'll. When the print-' ing relay is again energised, the printing solenoid III is again energized for causing another printing operation. The identifier will print 0 0" and the time will also be printed alongside the "0 0. As the key is pulled out, the relay I is still held in energized condition through the contacts I82, I01, wire I'll, wire I and the contacts I50, III. However, when the printing solenoid operates a second time, the contacts I", and III are separated, thus breaking the circuit I. The entire system has now reached its original condition.

The counter wheels 91b and Nb (Figs. 8 and 4) may be interconnected by suitable gearing 200 to counter wheels 2M arranged oppomte window opening 202 (Figs. 1 and 2). The counter wheels "I are so arranged as to permit viewing of the same numbers as are at the bottom of the counter wheels 21b and "b. In other words, the numhere which will be printed on the ribbon, may be seen through the window opening 202.

In Fig. 25 there is shown another preferred form of the identifier key designated by numeral Ila; and in Figs. 21 to 24, 26 and 27 there is shown another preferred form of identifier unit designated by numeral Illa.

The key I la is identical with key I I except that the former has notches Ilb at the inner ends of the cut-away portion ll, adjacent the shoulders Ila, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The unit "a (Fig. 21) has a front wall Ila formed with a circular opening In, a rotary disc 42a having a key shaped opening being held in a recess in said wall by a fixed plate a having an opening a, "a similar to opening ll, in

plate 42. Fixed to the front wall is a frame supporting a fixed cage 22a within which is Journailed a rotary cage a substantiallysimilar to cage 20 and having front and rear aligned discs interconnected by parallel longitudinal bars 340.

The front disc of the rotary cage designated by numeral I la has a key shaped opening 28a aligned with a key-shaped opening in the disc 42a. Said disc Sin is further formed with a vertical through passage 21d communicating with the passage "at with an enlarged notch 31b in the periphery thereof at the outer end of said passage. Said disc is furthermore provided with a pin 40a adjacent the periphery thereof. Pivoted to the frame in any suitable manner, is a lever 58 having an arm 52, the outer end whereof contacts the pin a. Fixed to the frame are a pair of switch blades 00 and 6t normally held in contact at their outer ends by said lever. Another switch blade 8! is fixed to the frame adjacent the blade 80, but out of contact with the latter when lever III engages blade Ill. However, when the rotary cage is rotated, the lever 52 moves oil! the pin and is turned in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 21 for moving the blade II out of contact with the blade BI and into contact with the blade 63.

There is also pivoted to the frame in any suitable manner, a lever I. having a portion disposed adjacent the notch 21b. Within the passage Ila is a pin ll having a head ll within the notch 211).. The lever ll engages said head ll. Attached to the frame are a pair of switch blades I2, I, interconnected by an insulated member to move together. There isalso attached to the frame a hair of blades II and SI. The blade is is nor-" .mally in contact with the blade '2 and the blade II is normally out of contact with the blade 54.

However, when a key is inserted into the rotary cage, the ramped portion II thereof will press the pin 41 downwardly to cause rotation of the lever in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 21 of the drawings, for movingthe blade ll.

in contact with the blade II and the blade I2 out of contact with the blade 82. As the cage is rotated by turning of the key, the lever 50 remains in'contact with the periphery of the disc Sid and is not rotated, so that the switch blades BI and 54 remain in contact, and the switch blades 52 and 53 remain out of contact until the key has been turned back to its original position and withdrawn from the identifier.

The identifier Illa has two similar pulsers disposed on opposite sides of the cage 23a. These pulsers operate in exactly the same manner and each one is actuated by one of the side edges of the key IIa. Said identifying units are exactly the same and one is positioned at 180 to the other and on the other side of a vertical plane through the axis of the cage 22a. Only one of said units will be described.

Each pulser comprises a U-shaped guide 220 (Fig. 21), fixed to the frame on one side thereof, having parallel horizontal slots 22I (Fig. 23) in the upstanding side walls thereof. Slidably mounted on said guide is a rack 222 having projecting rollers or pins 224 within the slots 22I. Pivoted to said rack is a finger 22! projecting into the rotary cage and having an upstanding portion contacting the side edges of the bars a. A strip spring 228 fixed to the rack serves to press the finger 225 against said bars. For the purpose hereinafter appearing. the upper of said bars a has adjacentthe disc 2Ia on opposite sides thereof, a widened portion b, the widened edges connecting with the narrower edges by inclined portions 340. When the key is not inserted into the identifier, the finger 225 engages the, adjacent widened edge 24b. The width of the finger 225 is substantially equal to the width of a notch Ila in the key lid for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

When the key is inserted Into the identifier, the shoulders Ila. thereof will engage the finger 225 to push the racks forwardly. (In the drawings, only one of said racks is shown.) When the finger 22! moves beyond the widened portions 341), said finger will enter the notch Mb inthe key. When the key reaches the end of this inward movement, the rack cannot continue moving forwardly by inertia because the finger 225 is within the notch. Upon removing the key from the identifier, the finger 225 will remain in the notch Ilb until said finger reaches the cammed or inclined portion No. Further withdrawal of the key will cause the finger to be moved out of the notch Ilb to permit withdrawal of the key from the identifier.

Fixed to the frame is an annular cup-shaped member 230. Journalled in said member is a shaft 23I disposed at right angles to and above the rack 222. Fixed to said shaft is a sleeve 222 carrying a pinion 222 meshing with the rack 222. On said sleeve is an arm 233 ca l a pivoted pawl 235 urged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 27 of the drawings, by a spring 235. Rotatably mounted on said shaft 23! is a ratchet 238 adapted to cooperate with the pawl 235. There is also rotatably mounted on said shaft and arranged for rotation together with the ratchet 233 a gear 2" for the purpose hereinafter appearing. The shaft 23l extends beyond the cup-shaped member 239 and on said extending portion is a torsion spring 2 having one end attached to the shaft and the other end to the member 230.

In Fig. 23 are shown the following elements omitted from Fig. 21. cup-shaped member 230 is a frame 233 carrying a shaft 2 having thereon a gear 245 meshing with the pinion 240. On said shaft. is also a worm wheel 246 and a pulsing cam 241. A governor 248 on frame 243 has a worm 255 meshing with the worm wheel 253. Fixed to said cupshaped member is also a switch blade 32 adapted to be moved by the cam 2". Another switch blade 83 on said cup-shaped member 230 normally contacts the blade 32. The latter blade is moved out of engagement with respect to the blade 83 twice during each revolution of the cam 241. There is further fixed to the cup-shaped member 230, a blade 92 attached to a blade 93 and insulated therefrom. Between said blades is a blade 9| normally in contact with the blade 93 and out of contact with the blade 92. Fixed to the shaft 23| is a radial pin 253 adapted to move the blades 92, 93 together for moving the blade 93 out of contact with the blade 9| and the blade 92 into contact with said blade 9|. When the key is not in the identifier, the pin 253 is normally in engagement with the attached together blades 92, 93 for holding the blade 92 in engagement with the blade 93 and the blade 93 out of engagement with the blade 9!. when the key is inserted into the identifier and the shaft rotates, the pin 253 will release the blades 92, 93 to permit the former to move out of engagement with the blade 9| and the latter into engagement with said blade. When the pulsing ceases, the pin 253 will be back to the position shown in Fig. 23 of the drawings. The blades 5|, 52, 53, 54, 60, El, 83, B2, 83, and 9!, 92 and 93 correspond to the switch blades having similar numerals as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and are similarly connected to the remaining apparatus.

When the key in inserted into the identifier, the rack 222 rotates the pinion 233, the shaft 23! and the arm 234. The pawl 235 moving in a clock-wise direction looking at Fig. 27 of the drawings, will not rotate the ratchet 238. During such movement, the torsion spring 2 which acts as a power device, will be tensioned. After the key has been fully inserted, and turned through an angle of 90 degrees, the finger 225 will be released and the torsion spring 2 will rotate the shaft and hence the pinion in an opposite direction, bringing the rack back to its original position and rotating the ratchet 238 and pinion 240, in turn rotating the pulsing cam 2|! to actuate the pulsing switch 92, 83.

The wiring diagram of Fig. 4 applies to the identifier shown in Figs. 21 to 27, the same as to the identifier of Figs. 5 to 20, the operation being exactly the same, the identifier ifla cooperating with the printing counters, 91b, 93b.

Means is provided to indicate by a light or an electric signal whenever the key is inserted into Fixed on the outside of the the identifier, and has been turned. To this end, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, a wire 2" connects the blade 93 with a plus terminal, an electric light or other electric signal 2 being interposed in said wire. It will now be understood that whenever the key is inserted and turned, the blade III will engage the blade 53 for completing the circuit for the electric light or signal 2".

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with an electromagnetic counter having numbered wheels, it will be understood that lettered wheels may also be used. In fact, any figured wheel or other printing means operating electrically may be substituted for the counter.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In an identifier comprising a member adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible therein, said key having a shoulder on one edge, a rack mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of said member, means on said rack adapted to be engaged by said shoulder, whereby to slidably move said rack upon moving said key into said member, a pulser controlled by said rack, and means on said key to prevent said rack from continuing to slide after the key has been fully inserted into said member.

2. In an identifier comprising a rotary cage adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible therein, said cage being rotatable upon turning said key after said key has been inserted into said cage, said key having a shoulder on one edge, a rack mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of said cage, means on said rack adapted to be engaged by said shoulder, whereby to slidably move said rack upon moving said key into said cage, a pulser controlled by said rack, and a member adapted to be tensioned upon inserting said key into said cage, said means being disengageable from said key upon turning said key to rotate said cage, after inserting the key into the cage, said tensioned member being adapted to move said rack back to normal position when said means becomes disengaged. 3. In an identifier, a member adapted to receive a key, a key insertible therein, said key having a shoulder on one edge, a slidably mounted rack, means on said rack adapted to be engaged by said shoulder whereby to slidably move said rack upon inserting said key into said member, and means on said key to prevent said rack from continuing to slide after the key has been fully inserted into said member.

4. In an identifier, a rotary edge adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible therein, said key having a shoulder, a rack mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of said cage, means on said rack adapted to be engaged by said shoulder, whereby to slidably move said rack away from normal position longitudinally of said cage, upon inserting said key into said cage, and means adapted to be tensioned upon insertingsaidkeyinto saidcagasaidfirstmeans being ilengageable from said shoulder upon turning said key and cage after inserting the key into the cage, said tensioned means being adapted to move said rack back to normal position when said first means becomes disengaged from said member. I

5. In an identifier, a rotary member adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible into said member, a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member, means on said key to engage said second member for moving the same away from normal position upon inserting said key into said first member, means adapted to be tensioned by said second member when said second member is moved by said key, and to move said second member back to normal position upon releasing said second member from engagement with said means on said key, said means on said key being disengageable from said second member upon rotating said key and rotary member, to permit said tension means to return said second member to normal position, and a pulser adapted to be actuated by said second member upon return thereof to normal position, and means to prevent rotation of said key back to normal position until said second member hasbeen returned to normal position.

6. In an identifier, a rotary member adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible into said member, a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member, means on said key to engage said second member for moving the same away from normal position upon inserting said key into said first member, means adapted to be tensioned -bysaid second member when said second member is moved by said key, and to move said second member back to normal position upon releasing said second member from engagement with said means on said key, said means on said key being disengageable from said second member upon rotating said key and rotary member, to permit said tension means to return said second member to normal position, a pulser controlled by said second member, means to prevent rotation of said key until the same has been inserted into said rotary member to a predetermined position, and means to prevent said second member from continuing to move away from normal position after said key has been inserted to a predetermined position in said rotary member.

'1. In an identifier, a rotary member adapted to receive a key, a key longitudinally insertible into said member, a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member, means on said key to engage said second member for moving the same away from normal position upon inserting said key into said first member, means adapted to be tensioned by said second member when said second member is moved by said key, and to move said second member back to normal position upon releasing said second member from engagement with said means on said key, said means on said key being'disengageable from said second member upon rotating said key and rotary member, to permit-said tension means to return said second member to normal position, and means to prevent rotation of said rotary member back to normal position after said second memberhas been released, until the latter has moved back to normal position.

8. In a key operated identifier, a member adapted to receive a key, a pulser, means cooperating with a key within said member and depending upon the shape of the key to actuate said pulser and control the number of pulsations on said pulser, an electro-magnetic unit controlled by said pulser adapted to rotate a figured wheel through .an angle depending upon the number of pulsations, means for automatically printing by means of said wheel when said wheel is rotated through said angle, means for automatically returning the wheel to normal position after printing thereon, and means for printingv by means of said wheel in normal position upon withdrawing the key from said member after said wheel is returned to normal position.

9. An identifier comprising means to receive a key, a pulser, means controlled by a key within the key receiving means, including an element variably positioned in accordance with the shape of the key to produce a number of pulses on said pulser depending upon the position of said variably positioned element, an electro-magnetic counter responsive to the pulses from the pulser, means to automatically print an identification of the key by means of said electro-magnetic counter after said counter has been actuated by the pulser, and means to cause a second actuation of the printing means automatically upon withdrawal of the key from the key receiving means.

10. An identifier comprising means to receive a key,'a pulser, means controlled by a key within the key receiving means, including an element variably positioned in accordance with the shape of the key to produce a number of pulses on said pulser depending upon the position of said variably positioned element, an electro-magnetio counter responsive to the pulses from the pulser, means to automatically print an identification of the key by means of said electro-magnetic counter after said counter has been actuated by the pulser, means for locking the key in the key receiving means against removal upon initiating the pulsing operation, means for releasing the locking means automatically upon completing the printing operation to permit the removal of the key from the key receiving means, and means to cause a second actuation of the printing means automatically upon withdrawal of the key from the key receiving means.

11. An identifier comprising means to receive a key, an identifying element, means controlled by a key within said key receiving means, and depending upon the shape of the key for actuating said identifying element, means for automatically printing an identification by means of said element after said element has been actuated, means for locking the key in the key receiving means against removal upon actuation of said identifying element, means to release the locking means automatically after the printing operation is completed to permit removal of the key from the key receiving means, and means to print a second time by means of said element upon withdrawal of said key from said key receiving means.

12. In an identifier adapted to be operated by a key, a member adapted to receive the key, a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member, said second member being moved by engagement with the key upon inserting said key into said first member, a pulser, means controlled by said second member for actuating said pulser, and means having a portion adapted to be engaged by the key and locked for transitory movement therewith to prevent said second member from continuing to move after said key has been inserted into said first member to a predetermined distance.

1 3. An identifier comprising means to receive a key, an identifying element, means controlled by a key within said key receiving means, including an element variably positioned in accordance with the shape of the key, for actuating said identifying element to identify said key, means for automatically printing an identification of said key bymeans of said identifying element after said element has been actuated to identify said key, and mechanism controlled by Withdrawal of the key from the key receiving means for printing a second time by means of said identifying element.

14. An identifier comprising means to receive a key, an identifying element, means controlled by a key within said key receiving means, including an element variably positioned in accordance with the shape oi. said key, for actuating said identifying element to identify said key, means for automatically printing an identiiication by means 0! said identifying element aiter said identifying element has been actuated to identify the key, means for automatically returning said identifying element to normal position after said printing operation has been made and while the key is still in the key receiving means, and mechanism controlled by withdrawal of the key from the key receiving means for printing a second time by means of said identifying element while the latter is in normal position.

15. In an identifier, means for receiving a key, means controlled by a key within said key receiving means and including an element variably positioned in accordance with the shape of the key to print an identification oi the key, and means controlled by withdrawal of the key from said identifier for automatically causing a second printing operation of said printing means.

BENJAMIN COOPER. 

